THE Conservative candidate for the newly formed Whitehaven and Workington has urged his Labour rival to publicly back West Cumbria’s mine – putting an end to damaging speculation about the future of the plans.
The move from Andrew Johnson comes after Labour frontbencher Alex Cunningham MP said the job-creating project would be scrapped under a Labour Government.
Speaking earlier this month the Member of Parliament for Stockton North said that the coking coal mine is “not going to happen”, adding “We’ll be in government before they get to that stage and believe you me – we will not allow that project to go ahead.”
Despite being asked on a number of occasions, the Labour candidate for Whitehaven and Workington Josh MacAlister has not publicly stated his position on the project which will result in the direct creation of 532 jobs on site, with 80 per cent of these expected to come from within 20 miles of the project site Woodhouse Colliery.
It will create a total of 170 jobs in the first year alone for contractors and suppliers as work starts on this construction-ready project. The mine is also set to create up to 2,000 indirect jobs in the wider supply chain, and around 50 apprenticeships.
In the letter, Mr Johnson said: “Your party’s response to the news reporting that followed was clear that you don’t support the creation of thousands of well-paid local jobs, both directly and in the supply chain, and the investment that the mine brings.
“Why do you and the Labour Party believe that steelmakers, regardless of where they are in the country, should rely on coal imported from halfway around the world on diesel ships? Or believe that West Cumbria should not befit from the continued global demand for high-quality coking coal that will be mined in other countries regardless and in a more environmentally damaging way than here in the UK? Will you now commit your party to supporting the residents of West Cumbria and change your position on the Woodhouse Colliery?”
The plans have been already subject to robust scrutiny and full public consultation. A legal challenge to the approval was rejected in April. The mine also has overwhelming backing from my constituents, and of the vast majority of right-thinking people. This will be the world’s first ‘Net Zero’ steelmaking coal mine, designed to supply and support the British and EU steel industries by reducing this sector’s reliance on imported coal.
This key industrial project has already received planning approval on three separate occasions.
The plans have been already subject to robust scrutiny and full public consultation. A legal challenge to the approval was rejected in April, and is now subject to appeal.